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Have you ever felt lost in a recruitment process? Or experienced the dread of a disorganised onboarding? You're not alone! How we engage with candidates is more important than ever, and that’s where employee journey mapping comes in—a game changer for enhancing candidate experiences and optimising talent acquisition.
In a recent chat with Katrina Collier - an authority on talent acquisition and the author of Reboot Hiring - Kristjan Kristjansson, CEO of 50skills, dove deep into how mapping out employee journeys is reshaping the way companies connect with their talent. Kristjan explains, “We start with the person... We built a platform where you can map out any people process, visualise it like on a whiteboard.” Imagine being able to see the entire recruitment journey laid out before you, making it easier to spot potential roadblocks and improve experiences!
So, what’s the big deal about employee journey mapping? It’s all about understanding the myriad of experiences candidates go through. By visualising these interactions, HR teams can pinpoint exactly where candidates might feel lost or unsupported. As Kristjan puts it, “You look at the process people have gone through, their experiences... and experiences are a hot topic.”
In a competitive job market, a positive candidate experience can set your organisation apart. According to research by IBM, candidates are 38% more likely to accept a job offer if they are satisfied with the application process. Employee journey mapping allows organisations to identify key touchpoints and moments that matter, ensuring candidates feel valued throughout their journey. And this isn’t just about making candidates feel good; it’s about retaining talent and building a strong employer brand that stands out in the minds of potential hires.
Think about it: how many times have new hires walked into their first day and found chaos instead of a warm welcome? Kristjan recalls the importance of preparation: “It’s essential to have things like contracts, equipment, and logins ready from day one.” A smooth onboarding process is a critical part of employee journey mapping, signalling to new employees that they are valued and setting the tone for their entire journey with the company.
Research indicates that organisations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70% (Brandon Hall Group). Employee journey mapping helps create a more cohesive onboarding experience, reducing the anxiety that often accompanies starting a new job. When employees feel supported from the get-go, they are more likely to engage positively with their work and their teams.
Now, let’s talk about technology—specifically, AI. Incorporating AI into employee journey mapping can elevate candidate interactions to a whole new level. Kristjan notes, “We’ve trained AI to come up with suggestions... you can use those suggestions or tweak them to suit your organisation’s specific requirements.” This adaptability is crucial, as it allows organisations to personalise the employee journey mapping process according to their unique needs while harnessing data-driven insights.
And don’t worry about losing that human touch! Kristjan emphasises the balance needed: “You don’t want AI completely diverging from human judgement.” It’s all about automating the repetitive tasks so that HR professionals can focus on what truly matters: building meaningful connections with candidates.
A survey by LinkedIn revealed that talent professionals believe AI will help them save time in their recruitment processes, allowing them to focus more on building relationships with candidates. This efficient use of AI can significantly enhance the overall employee journey mapping experience.
Another exciting aspect of employee journey mapping is the potential for sharing insights and best practices among organisations. This is new functionality being added to our automation platform, allowing users to share their workflows and employee journey templates with peers. This openness fosters a culture of learning and improvement, where companies can benefit from each other’s experiences in real-time.
When organisations embrace transparency in their employee journey mapping efforts, they create an environment where continuous improvement is the norm. This leads to better processes, happier employees, and ultimately, more satisfied candidates. In fact, according to research by Oxford Economics and Unum, the average cost of turnover per employee (earning £25,000 a year or more) is £30,614, highlighting the importance of a positive employee journey.
So, what’s the takeaway? Employee journey mapping isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a vital strategy that can transform HR and talent acquisition. By prioritising the experiences of candidates and employees, organisations can cultivate a culture of empathy and transparency.
Kristjan sums it up perfectly: “Automating repetitive tasks allows [people] to spend more time on meaningful interactions.” As we move forward in the ever-evolving HR landscape, those who embrace employee journey mapping will be the ones leading the way in creating exceptional candidate experiences.
Employee journey mapping offers a roadmap for organisations looking to elevate their HR and TA practices. By focusing on the entire journey—from recruitment to onboarding and beyond—companies can ensure that every candidate feels valued and engaged. In a world where talent is the ultimate competitive advantage, this approach is more critical than ever.
Ready to transform your talent acquisition and employee onboarding processes? Start mapping your employee journeys today and see the difference it makes! Embrace the power of AI and automation to enhance your candidate experiences and build a strong employer brand. Book a demo to discover how we can help you create a seamless, human-centred journey for your future hires.
